Divisional Product, Process & Quality Director

Where creativity meets craftsmanship across the UK’s fastest growing chilled food companies.

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for food, innovation, and operational excellence?
Do you thrive in fast‑paced chilled food environments where no two days are the same?
If you’re ready to take the next step and shape the future of product development, process delivery and quality within a major chilled food group — this is your opportunity.

We’re looking for a Divisional Product, Process & Quality Director who can bring imagination, innovation and inspiration to life across our Deli & Outsourced division within NPD. Someone who can turn sparks of ideas into commercially brilliant, beautifully executed products that our customers love.

Why this role is different?

This is not a back‑office leadership job. This is front‑row seat creativity, woven with strategic influence, technical rigour and cross‑functional collaboration.

You’ll be the person who:

• Connects chefs, developers, engineers, marketers and site teams behind a creative vision.
• Knows how to turn a great idea into scalable, consistent, high‑quality reality.
• Inspire your teams to push boundaries — then anchor them with process, quality and calm confidence.
• Is just as comfortable in a Senior customer pitch as they are in a trial kitchen or factory floor.
• You’ll have freedom. Influence. Visibility. And the remit to reinvent what great looks like.

What you’ll be doing:

Shape bold, brilliant ideas

Lead the journey from concept to creation — where flavours, formats, trends and customer expectations collide to become the next standout chilled food product.

Build and nurture creative talent

This isn’t just leadership; it’s mentorship. You’ll champion Food Safaris, innovation workshops, cross‑functional ideation and the kind of creative culture where breakthroughs actually happen.

Craft a seamless creative‑to‑factory pipeline

You’ll make sure ideas don’t just look good on paper — they run beautifully through manufacturing too.
That means:

• Guiding accurate gate processes
• Running inspiring but disciplined trials
• Ensuring the finished product truly reflects the creative intent

Elevate quality with imagination

You’ll bring a creative eye to quality, helping redefine what “great” looks like — and what “exceptional” should always feel like.

Influence at the highest levels

Whether it’s customers, ELT, our site leadership or development teams, you’ll set the tone for a culture of curiosity, excellence and collaboration.

Who we are looking for?

Creative Leadership

You’re a natural storyteller, a challenger of norms, a connector of ideas, and a leader who sparks energy, passion and enthusiasm in others.

NPD Mastery

You’ve delivered innovative food products at scale and you understand the art and science behind making creativity commercially viable.

Operational Curiosity

You love rolling up your sleeves — whether that’s tasting, testing, tweaking, trialling or troubleshooting.

A People‑First Mindset

You motivate, mentor and build high‑performing teams who feel proud of the work they deliver.

• A passionate foody and the stories it tells.
• Energised by collaboration, complexity and creative problem‑solving.
• Bold, curious and not afraid to challenge to raise the bar
• Someone who can hold big‑picture vision and fine‑detail execution in the same breath.

Why join us?

At The Compleat Food Group, we believe our people are the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a wide range of industry leading benefits designed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing, and career growth:

Financial & Lifestyle Benefits

• Competitive Car Allowance
• Company Bonus Scheme recognising performance and contribution
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – including Electric Vehicles, Home & Tech, Cycle to Work, and SMART Pension
• 33 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays) with the option to purchase extra
• Holiday Discounts Available via our online retail discount platform
• Access to enhanced retail discounts online and in-store
• Free product handouts across our sites, so you can sample and enjoy our delicious products first hand
• EV charging points – available at selected sites

Health & Wellbeing

• Private Medical Insurance
• 24/7 access to GroceryAid for free financial, emotional, and practical support
• Physical Wellbeing Hub – free on-demand exercise programmes, online classes and multiple gym discounts
• Free diet & nutrition advice with access to thousands of meal plans and healthy recipes
• Online wellbeing support – from mindfulness to lifestyle resources
• Financial wellbeing tools – including mortgage calculators, budgeting tools, and financial aid

Career Growth & Development

• Access to a personalised online learning platform (LMS)
• Formal and informal training opportunities tailored to your role
• Performance Development Plans and regular Career Conversations
• Industry leading company Mentoring Scheme to add depth and really support your career journey
• Recognition through Club Compleat rewards portal

Community & Culture

• 2 paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes that matter to you
• Charity initiatives and fundraising events
• Team socials to connect and celebrate together
• Employee networks & support groups – including Women @ Compleat
• New baby gift for new parents

Working here at The Compleat Food Group, creativity isn’t just a department — it’s the heartbeat of our business.
And you’ll be the one shaping it, elevating it, and championing it across multiple sites, teams and customers whilst seeing your own career progress with ample opportunity to tackle large projects and leave a creative legacy within a growing, agile major UK chilled food group.
If that sounds like your kind of challenge, we’d love to meet you.

The Compleat Food Group fosters an inclusive, respectful culture where everyone feels safe, supported, and valued. We welcome diverse talent, knowing it drives exceptional results and a better workplace. We are committed to Fairness, Equity, Inclusivity, and Respect, we ensure all colleagues can thrive by bringing their whole selves to work. As an equal opportunity’s employer, we provide all the support you need to succeed. Contact us with any questions about Diversity & Inclusion or accessibility during the application process.